Local sock monkey maker snags Canada 150 contract

Sherrie Kearney, owner of monkeysandmore.com, holds a specially made custom Canada 150 sock monkey. The online business was granted permission to make special sock mooses and monkeys for the 150th anniversary of Canada in 2017.

NEW WATERFORD - Sherrie Kearney has been making sock monkeys for the past three years, but come next month she will begin her biggest project to date.

Kearney, owner of monkeysandmore.com, an online business that sells original and custom-made sock monkeys, has begun preparation for a year-long project that will see her make sock mooses and monkeys for the Canada 150 celebration.

The New Waterford-based business was granted permission last week to use the Canada 150 logo on its products for the upcoming year and distribute the unique items to any store across Canada that wants to sell them.

With signing the agreement, the local business has the right to use the logo and will be an official licensed product of Canada 150, in celebration of the country’s 150th anniversary in 2017.

Kearney said she was debating on whether to apply for the Canada 150 license all summer.

“A few weeks ago we decided to go for it and applied,” she said. “I never imagined we would be allowed and granted the license.”

Kearney started the business in 2014 after she suffered two heart attacks and a stroke and was unable to work a normal job. The business began in Digby, but was moved to New Waterford on Aug. 30.

Since opening the business, Kearney has sold sock monkeys across the world including Canada, the United States, Germany and Australia and has made over 3,000 monkeys. Earlier this month, one of Kearney’s sock monkeys accompanied the annual Nova Scotia Christmas tree to Boston.

Kearney has made monkeys for many celebrities such as musicians Rick Springfield and Jann Arden as well as actors Rebecca Staab and Will DeVry. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also owns three sock monkeys himself.

Kearney said the project could be a big boost the sock monkey business needs.

“We love Canada and having these products made in Canada will be awesome,” she said. “We also make sure that everyone who orders from us knows we are made in Cape Breton as we are proud to be making them and shipping them from here.”

In preparation for the Christmas season, Kearney made about 550 sock monkeys from the beginning of November to Dec. 23. Kearney set her Christmas deadline as mid-December and up until Dec. 24 she was still receiving orders for Christmas.

Since Kearney announced the news of being granted permission to use the Canada 150 logo, she has received about 50 orders for mooses and monkeys from people wanting the product.

“Our moose and monkeys are unique as they are all hand-made locally, which is kind of cool as there is a big buy local movement out there,” said Kearney. “Our products are all 100 per cent made in Canada.”

The kick off for the year-long Canada 150 celebrations will begin on Dec. 31.

Kearney said she will begin making the special sock moose and monkeys starting on Jan. 3, following her Christmas break.

To order a sock moose or monkey for Canada 150, visit the website www.monkeysandmore.com or by phoning Kearney at 902-549-5399.

Kearney, owner of monkeysandmore.com, an online business that sells original and custom-made sock monkeys, has begun preparation for a year-long project that will see her make sock mooses and monkeys for the Canada 150 celebration.

The New Waterford-based business was granted permission last week to use the Canada 150 logo on its products for the upcoming year and distribute the unique items to any store across Canada that wants to sell them.

With signing the agreement, the local business has the right to use the logo and will be an official licensed product of Canada 150, in celebration of the country’s 150th anniversary in 2017.

Kearney said she was debating on whether to apply for the Canada 150 license all summer.

“A few weeks ago we decided to go for it and applied,” she said. “I never imagined we would be allowed and granted the license.”

Kearney started the business in 2014 after she suffered two heart attacks and a stroke and was unable to work a normal job. The business began in Digby, but was moved to New Waterford on Aug. 30.

Since opening the business, Kearney has sold sock monkeys across the world including Canada, the United States, Germany and Australia and has made over 3,000 monkeys. Earlier this month, one of Kearney’s sock monkeys accompanied the annual Nova Scotia Christmas tree to Boston.

Kearney has made monkeys for many celebrities such as musicians Rick Springfield and Jann Arden as well as actors Rebecca Staab and Will DeVry. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also owns three sock monkeys himself.

Kearney said the project could be a big boost the sock monkey business needs.

“We love Canada and having these products made in Canada will be awesome,” she said. “We also make sure that everyone who orders from us knows we are made in Cape Breton as we are proud to be making them and shipping them from here.”

In preparation for the Christmas season, Kearney made about 550 sock monkeys from the beginning of November to Dec. 23. Kearney set her Christmas deadline as mid-December and up until Dec. 24 she was still receiving orders for Christmas.

Since Kearney announced the news of being granted permission to use the Canada 150 logo, she has received about 50 orders for mooses and monkeys from people wanting the product.

“Our moose and monkeys are unique as they are all hand-made locally, which is kind of cool as there is a big buy local movement out there,” said Kearney. “Our products are all 100 per cent made in Canada.”

The kick off for the year-long Canada 150 celebrations will begin on Dec. 31.

Kearney said she will begin making the special sock moose and monkeys starting on Jan. 3, following her Christmas break.

To order a sock moose or monkey for Canada 150, visit the website www.monkeysandmore.com or by phoning Kearney at 902-549-5399.